Economic Overview - Consumer confidence fell to 94.2 in September, a decline of 3.6 points month over month, missing the consensus estimate of 96 [4] - The Present Situation Index dropped 7 points to 125.4, indicating a negative assessment of current business and labor market conditions [4] - Short-term expectations for income, business conditions, and employment declined to 74.8, with readings below 80 suggesting a higher risk of recession [5] - Concerns over a shrinking labor market have negatively impacted consumer confidence, with job availability assessments declining for nine consecutive months [5] - High prices of goods, exacerbated by tariffs, continue to pressure consumer spending, while inflation remains a concern [6] Investment Recommendations - It is advisable to invest in safe-haven defensive stocks from the utility sector, including Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO), Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO), NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NWE), and Northwest Natural Holding Company (NWN), all carrying a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [2] - Recommended stocks are categorized as low-beta (beta greater than 0 but less than 1), suggesting a focus on low-beta stocks with high dividend yields and favorable Zacks Ranks [3] Company Profiles - **Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO)**: Engaged in regulated natural gas distribution and storage, serving approximately 3.3 million customers across eight states. Expected earnings growth rate is 7.3% for the current year, with a current dividend yield of 2.05% and a beta of 0.75 [7][8] - **Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO)**: Focuses on seawater desalination and water distribution in areas with scarce potable water. Expected earnings growth rate is 0.9% for the current year, with a current dividend yield of 1.60% and a beta of 0.58 [9][10] - **NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NWE)**: Provides reliable energy to customers in Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Expected earnings growth rate is 5.6% for the current year, with a current dividend yield of 4.54% and a beta of 0.40 [11][12] - **Northwest Natural Holding Company (NWN)**: Builds and maintains natural gas distribution systems, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Expected earnings growth rate is 25.3% for the current year, with a current dividend yield of 4.37% and a beta of 0.59 [13][14]

Core Viewpoint - ONE Gas (OGS) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, indicating a positive earnings outlook that may lead to increased stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - Changes in a company's future earnings potential, reflected in earnings estimate revisions, are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4]. - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of a company's shares, influencing their buying and selling decisions, which in turn affects stock prices [4]. ONE Gas Earnings Outlook - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, ONE Gas is expected to earn $4.34 per share, which remains unchanged from the previous year [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for ONE Gas has increased by 1.4%, indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates [8]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank stock-rating system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - The upgrade of ONE Gas to a Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Economic Overview - U.S. consumer confidence dropped to 97.4 in August from 98.7 in July, indicating a decline of 1.3 points, with short-term expectations for income, business conditions, and employment also falling to 74.8 [4][5] - Concerns about the economy have been exacerbated by tariffs imposed by President Trump, which have raised inflation fears and impacted consumer confidence [5][6] - A weak labor market, characterized by slow job additions, has further fueled recession fears, despite low layoffs and unemployment rates [7] Investment Recommendations - Given the economic uncertainty, it is advisable to invest in low-beta defensive stocks from the utility and consumer staples sectors, which include Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO), Fortis, Inc. (FTS), Northwest Natural Holding Company (NWN), Ingredion Incorporated (INGR), and Carriage Services, Inc. (CSV) [2][10] - These stocks are characterized by a beta greater than 0 but less than 1, indicating lower volatility, and they also offer high dividend yields [3] Company Profiles - **Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO)**: Engaged in regulated natural gas distribution and storage, serving approximately 3.3 million customers across eight states. Expected earnings growth rate is 7.2% for the current year, with a beta of 0.75 and a dividend yield of 2.09% [8][9] - **Fortis, Inc. (FTS)**: Operates in the electric and gas utility sector, primarily in Canada and the Caribbean. Expected earnings growth rate is 4.6% for the current year, with a beta of 0.48 and a dividend yield of 3.57% [10][11] - **Northwest Natural Holding Company (NWN)**: Focuses on natural gas distribution systems and pipeline projects, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Expected earnings growth rate is 25.3% for the current year, with a beta of 0.59 and a dividend yield of 4.72% [12][13] - **Ingredion Incorporated (INGR)**: Provides ingredient solutions specializing in nature-based sweeteners and starches, serving various sectors. Expected earnings growth rate is 6.7% for the current year, with a beta of 0.77 and a dividend yield of 2.47% [14] - **Carriage Services, Inc. (CSV)**: A leading provider of death care services in the U.S., offering a range of funeral and burial services. Expected earnings growth rate is 23.4% for the current year, with a beta of 0.86 and a dividend yield of 1.03% [15][16]

Core Viewpoint - Northwest Natural (NWN) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are closely correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Institutional investors often rely on earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [4]. Company Performance and Outlook - The upgrade for Northwest Natural indicates an improvement in the company's underlying business, which is expected to drive the stock price higher as investors respond positively to this trend [5][10]. - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Northwest Natural is projected to earn $2.92 per share, with a 2.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a strong historical performance, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks, which have averaged a +25% annual return since 1988 [7]. - The upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places Northwest Natural in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Core Insights - UGI Corporation reported a narrower operating loss of $0.01 per share for Q3 fiscal 2025, compared to a loss of $0.12 estimated by Zacks Consensus, and a profit of $0.06 in the same quarter last year [1] - Total revenues for UGI were $1.39 billion, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.44 billion by 3.4%, but showing a 1% increase from $1.38 billion in the previous year [2] Financial Performance - UGI's year-to-date investments reached $605 million, with 80% allocated to natural gas operations [3][8] - Interest expenses increased to $101 million from $96 million year-over-year [3] - Loss before interest expense and income tax for Q3 was $127 million, compared to earnings of $41 million in the prior year [3] Segment Performance - AmeriGas Propane reported an operating loss of $28 million, slightly worse than the $27 million loss in the previous year [4] - UGI International's EBIT was $43 million, down 24.6% from the prior year [4] - Midstream & Marketing segment's EBIT declined by 37.2% to $27 million [4] - UGI Utilities reported EBIT of $30 million, a decrease of 23.1% year-over-year [5] Guidance and Outlook - UGI anticipates achieving the upper end of its fiscal 2025 adjusted earnings range of $3.00 to $3.15 per share, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $3.13 [6][8] - The company currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [6]

Financial Performance - The company increased its fiscal 2025 indicated annual dividend by 8.1% to $3.48 per diluted share[3] - Year-to-date diluted EPS reached $6.40[6] - The company raised its fiscal 2025 EPS guidance range to $7.35 to $7.45, up from $7.20 to $7.30[6] - Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2025, was $186 million, compared to $166 million for the same period in 2024[7] - Capital expenditures year-to-date totaled $2.6 billion, with 86% allocated to safety and reliability spending[6] Financing and Liquidity - The company issued $650 million in 30-year senior notes at 5.00% and $500 million in 10-year senior notes at 5.20%[6] - The company settled $569 million of equity forwards[6] - Available liquidity stood at approximately $5.5 billion[6] - $1.7 billion was available under equity forward agreements[6, 21] Regulatory and Rate Adjustments - Implemented $350.8 million in rate adjustments as of August 6, 2025[6] - Approved annualized operating income increases totaled $350.8 million, with $229.1 million currently in progress[6, 34] - The company implemented a GRIP filing for Atmos Pipeline - Texas (APT), authorizing an increase in annual operating income of $77.2 million[33, 51]

Financial Performance & Strategic Focus - Southwest Gas Holdings (SWX) reported Q2 2025 net income of approximately $34 million, a 22% increase compared to Q2 2024, and year-to-date net income of approximately $177 million, an 8.1% increase compared to the same period in 2024[26] - SWX is committed to a pure-play, fully regulated natural gas business strategy through the disposition of its remaining interest in Centuri[22] - SWX expects 2025 Utility net income to fall within the $265 - $275 million guidance range[22] - The company is targeting 6% to 8% net income growth and 6% to 8% rate base growth from 2025-2029[22] Centuri Separation & Financing - Secondary offerings in Q2 2025 reduced SWX ownership in Centuri to approximately 52.1%[23] - Net proceeds of approximately $470 million from the Centuri secondary offerings were used to repay debt and strengthen the balance sheet[23] - SWX no longer expects to issue equity in 2025 due to proceeds from Centuri follow-on offerings[70] Regulatory & Operational Updates - Approximately 40,000 new meter sets were added during the last 12 months, leading to a 1.8% customer growth rate[26] - The company received approval to accelerate the return to Nevada customers of over-collected purchased gas costs, beginning July 1, 2025[26] - Great Basin successfully completed its binding open season, identifying potential incremental capacity of up to 1.76 billion cubic feet (Bcf)/day[26] - The potential incremental capital expenditure opportunity for the Great Basin expansion is approximately $1.2 - $1.6 billion[36]

Core Insights - The company reported a trailing 12-month utility return on equity (ROE) of 8.3% as of June 30, 2025, reflecting improvements in regulatory progress and cost management [6][29] - The Arizona Corporation Commission approved a capital tracker program, and Nevada enacted Senate Bill 417, allowing for alternative ratemaking for natural gas utilities, which is expected to enhance price stability and consumer protection [2][6] - The company successfully reduced its debt by over $470 million through follow-on offerings of Centuri Holdings, strengthening its balance sheet and moving towards a pure-play regulated natural gas business [2][6] Financial Performance - For the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, the company reported a net loss of $12.9 million, a decline of $31.2 million compared to the same period in 2024, primarily due to tax impacts from the sale of Centuri stock [8][9] - Adjusted net income for the second quarter was $38.6 million, representing a 71% increase compared to the same quarter in 2024 [8][29] - Year-to-date net income for 2025 was $100.987 million, a decrease of $5.1 million compared to the previous year, while adjusted net income was $37 million higher than the same period in 2024 [9][29] Operational Highlights - The company added approximately 40,000 new meter sets over the 12 months ending June 30, 2025, resulting in a customer growth rate of 1.8% [6] - The Great Basin Gas Transmission Company's 2028 Expansion Project saw increased capacity demand, rising to about 1.76 billion cubic feet per day from 1.25 billion cubic feet previously announced [3][6] - The company had $356 million in cash and over $1 billion in available liquidity as of June 30, 2025 [6] Segment Performance - The natural gas distribution segment contributed $33.677 million to net income in Q2 2025, up from $27.594 million in Q2 2024, while utility infrastructure services contributed $5.771 million [4][6] - Corporate and administrative net loss increased to $52.331 million in Q2 2025, impacted by tax expenses related to the Centuri stock sale [15][16] - Centuri's net loss improved by $17 million year-to-date, driven by higher work volume under master services agreements [13][16] Future Outlook - The company reaffirmed its 2025 net income guidance of $265 million to $275 million and capital expenditures of approximately $880 million to support customer growth and system improvements [17][19] - The company anticipates a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0% to 8.0% for adjusted net income from 2025 to 2029 [19]

Financial Performance & Guidance - NJR raises the lower end of its fiscal year 2025 NFEPS guidance by $0.05, setting a new range of $3.20 to $3.30[5, 14] - The guidance range is above the 7%-9% long-term projected NFEPS growth[14] - Approximately 65% of fiscal year 2025 NFEPS is expected from utility operations[17] Capital Investments & Growth - NJNG's SAVEGREEN CAPEX is projected to grow over 30% to $90 million - $95 million in fiscal year 2025[24] - NJNG is authorized to invest $385.6 million in SAVEGREEN over a 30-month period ending June 30, 2027[24] - NJNG's year-to-date fiscal year 2025 capital expenditures total approximately $383 million, with about 47% earning a near real-time return[28] Clean Energy Ventures (CEV) - CEV has approximately 449 MW of commercial solar capacity in service as of July 31, 2025[30] - CEV has a solar pipeline of approximately 1.0 GW of investment options for future solar growth[31] - CEV expects approximately 131 MW of solar projects to be in service over the next two years, representing over $350 million in investment[31] Business Segments Performance - For the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, NJNG's NFE was $16.2 million, while the consolidated NFE was $6.2 million[41] - For the year-to-date fiscal year 2025, NJNG's NFE was $69.1 million, while the consolidated NFE was $313.4 million[42] Customer Growth - NJNG serves approximately 588,300 customers in New Jersey[79, 83]

Core Insights - Hyperscale Data, Inc. has entered into an engineering design agreement with SEMCO Energy to develop natural gas distribution infrastructure for its Michigan data center, enabling approximately 40 MW of additional power generation capacity [1][2] Agreement Details - The agreement signifies a milestone in expanding the infrastructure for the Michigan Site, aimed at supporting the growing demands of the artificial intelligence industry [2] - SEMCO and ACS will collaborate to finalize plans and move towards construction, pending regulatory approvals and due diligence [2][10] Company Overview - Hyperscale Data operates a data center through its subsidiary Sentinum, focusing on digital asset mining and colocation services for AI ecosystems [4] - The company plans to divest its subsidiary Ault Capital Group by December 31, 2025, transitioning to solely owning and operating data centers for high-performance computing [5] Future Plans - SEMCO will handle preliminary engineering and design for the pipeline routing and related infrastructure to enhance natural gas capacity [10] - A definitive facility construction agreement is expected to be negotiated in the coming months, with construction anticipated to be completed within 15 months of the agreement execution [10]